Question

Owls2009 · June 20th, 2009, 01:48 PM

Hey guys,

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, but I need some advice. I'll be in Phoenix for 3 days this week on business and I'm looking for some cool things to do. I have my entire first day free and I'll be going to the DBacks game at night(I'm trying to do the whole "visit every MLB ballpark" thing, so this trip worked out nicely). The 2nd day, I have free until around 4pm. Do you have any suggestions on what I should do during the day in the area? I'm basically looking for things to see, places to eat...anything you would suggest someone do if they only had a day in Phoenix. My buisness thing is in Glendale...anything to do there? Any info would be great. Thanks!

azmike74 · June 20th, 2009, 01:52 PM

Not much to do in Glendale, hope you like to drink.

Owls2009 · June 20th, 2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azmike74

Not much to do in Glendale, hope you like to drink.

LOL. I didn't think Glendale would be that exciting...except maybe a tour of the football stadium. I'm staying in downtown Phoenix. Anything you'd suggest there?

HooverDam · June 20th, 2009, 03:24 PM

You should check out Phoenixnewtimes.com and AzCentral.com, both have Events calendars you can use to see whats going on on particular days.

http://www.coppersquare.com Is the Downtown Phoenix Partnerships website, it has lots of coupons for eateries downtown and will help you find things going on.

If you can be more specific on what sort of things you'd want to do, I could help more. Do you like museums? Art galleries? Drinking? Nice restaurants? Hole in the wall restaurants? Will you have a rental car? Are you outdoorsy- think you can handle an early morning hike before it gets too hot?

Owls2009 · June 20th, 2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HooverDam

If you can be more specific on what sort of things you'd want to do, I could help more. Do you like museums? Art galleries? Drinking? Nice restaurants? Hole in the wall restaurants? Will you have a rental car? Are you outdoorsy- think you can handle an early morning hike before it gets too hot?

Thanks. I will have a rental car, so driving's not a problem. I'm not one for art galleries, but I'd go to a museum. As for restaurants, I'd prefer hole in the wall places, or something unique to the area. I hate going to chain places when I travel...although I will be checking out an In-N-Out burger since I missed it in LA.

O · June 20th, 2009, 03:52 PM

What part of downtown, what hotel?
I'm the king of hole in the wall places.

Owls2009 · June 20th, 2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O

What part of downtown, what hotel?
I'm the king of hole in the wall places.

I get my full travel info Monday, but I believe that it is either a Springhill Suites or Fairfield Inn...either way it is downtown or close to it. Since you are the King...any suggestions either in downtown PHX...anything close to Chase Field?

binkar · June 20th, 2009, 04:31 PM

Matt's Big Breakfast in downtown Phoenix has got some good grub. Pizzeria Bianco is also in downtown Phoenix and is supposably amazing (I have never been). I don't know what else is around sorry. Unless you wanna hit up the Arizona Science Center?

BC867 · June 20th, 2009, 04:53 PM

Westgate, adjacent to the Cardinals stadium, is fun to see at night.

From the dancing, lighted fountains to the variety of restaurants (gourmet pizza, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, steak house, Mexican, Asian, etc.

I recently moved back to northeast Phoenix from a 4-year stint in Sun City on the west side. But I've already taken visitors over to Westgate.

HooverDam · June 20th, 2009, 05:04 PM

^^Westgate is almost 100% chains which he seems to want to avoid, and is more or less a glorified mall. I suppose its worth hitting up if you're over there taking a Cardinals stadium tour, but otherwise its nothing special or worth seeing.

*please note, the place names in the post are links for your convenience

If you're willing to wait around, Pizzeria Bianco is great. However its tiny, and often has up to a 3 or 4 hour wait. You put your name in, and sort of wander around, calling them on your cell once and hour to hold your spot in line. Its easy enough to do though, they have a bar adjacent (Bar Bianco) and its near the small but nice Phoenix History Museum and the Arizona Science Center, both good places to kill time.

If you want really good unique pizza, but not such a wait, try Cibo. Its maybe slightly outside of walking range depending on the heat and your physical condition, but its a very short drive.

Matts Big Breakfast is a delicious hole in the wall place, nothing fancy, just hearty breakfasts made from quality ingredients.

For Mexican food, drive your car through the bario over to the Phoenix Ranch Market on 16th St and Roosevelt. Its a huge Mexican grocery store, once you enter ,youll feel like youve been transported across the border. Wander through the market, its wonderful, they have their own tortilla factory, a delicious lunch counter, an Aguas Frescas stand ('fresh waters'), a huge bakery with tasty treats and an ice cream stand.

For Asian food, try Sens Sake and Tapas bar or 905 an Asian fusion restaurant also owned by local favorite chef Johnny Chu, its at 905 N 4th St.

For an Irish pub try Seamus McCaffreys in the ground floor of the old Hotel San Carlos. Or for a more upscale, contemporary Irish experience, try The Turf, which is owned by the same folks.

For Soul Food go to Mrs Whites Golden Rule Cafe or for a more specialized Soul Food experience, drive south to Mrs Whites sons place, LoLos Chicken and Waffles

Thai Elephant has excellent Thai which will probably be within walking distance to you.

The District restaurant and bar in the Sheraton is much nicer and more unique than most hotel eateries.

The Breadfruit is a great hole in the wall Jamaican place, get the jerk chicken and save room for the desert that has jello and ice cream in it.

Pasta Bar is a unique little pasta place in the same complex as Sens and the Turf, they use really quality ingredients.

I don't like sushi, but I hear Moira is good from those who do.

The Roosevelt
and The Lost Leaf are hip bars in historic houses with a variety of microbrews and locally crafted beers, like local favorite from 4 Peaks Brewery, Kiltlifter.

For a more traditional sports bar, go to Majerles (owned by the former Phx Sun of the same name) or Alice Cooperstown

Arcadia Farms Cafe is a good place inside the Phoenix Art Museum, so you can grab a bite and sit viewing a beautiful sculpture garden.

For a museum, take the Light Rail (or drive) up to the Heard Museum. Its the premiere museum of the history of the Native Southwestern people.

If you want to experience the desert and a great mountain top view without physical exertion, drive South (unfortunately, through the ghetto, but don't worry, youre safe) to South Mountain Park. Its the largest municipal park in the world at over 19,000 acres and has a road to the top to a lookout called Dobbins Point (dont forget your camera).

If you're up for a hike, get up early to beat the heat, grab a big water bottle and hike Camelback Mountain. Its an extremely popular hike and you won't get solitude, but youll get a heck of a view (of the desert, the city and probably some hot ladies asses).

Then, like I said, check out the events calendars on the Phoenix New Times site and AzCentral.com, theres usually stuff going on. If you get lost downtown and need help, look for people in orange shirts, its their job to point you in the right direction.

Owls2009 · June 20th, 2009, 05:17 PM

Wow, thanks for the info Hoover. It's very kind of you to put all that together. I have lot more reserch to do then I thought!

I think i'll definately do Majerle's for one meal. Being a South Florida native, I have been a HUGE Thunder Dan fan from his time with the Heat. One of my all time favorite players.

I have also heard good things about Matt's Big Breakfast. I saw it on a Food Network show...looks great. Definately putting it on my list.

How far outside downtown is Camelback mountain? I'd really like to check the desert while I'm out there. Also, how is the public transportation? Can I walk to the ballpark from downtown or will I have to pay for parking?

HooverDam · June 20th, 2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owls2009

How far outside downtown is Camelback mountain? I'd really like to check the desert while I'm out there. Also, how is the public transportation? Can I walk to the ballpark from downtown or will I have to pay for parking?

Maybe a 20 min drive or so? Its not bad, you go through a very nice upscale suburban area called Arcadia and into Paradise Valley, so its pretty.

The public transport isn't great here (yet) but most things I recommended are along the Light Rail line. Depending on where you stay you can probably walk to the ballpark, its in Downtown. Theres also the free downtown Phoenix Flash shuttle that may be running near where you're staying or going. Also there are lots of these guys who have these little peddy cabs you can hop in, you should tip them about $1 per block I hear, but I never use them because Im young and dumb and will walk for miles because Im cheap.

Owls2009 · June 20th, 2009, 05:59 PM

LOL...I hear you. Walking is fine with me...as long as I won't get mugged or something! On a trip I took to Baltimore last year I walked a few miles to Camden Yards from my hotel. It was a day game, so it wasn't bad. I was with a group of friends, but I probably wouldn't have done that at night.

O · June 20th, 2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HooverDam

^^Westgate is almost 100% chains which he seems to want to avoid, and is more or less a glorified mall. I suppose its worth hitting up if you're over there taking a Cardinals stadium tour, but otherwise its nothing special or worth seeing.

*please note, the place names in the post are links for your convenience

If you're willing to wait around, Pizzeria Bianco is great. However its tiny, and often has up to a 3 or 4 hour wait. You put your name in, and sort of wander around, calling them on your cell once and hour to hold your spot in line. Its easy enough to do though, they have a bar adjacent (Bar Bianco) and its near the small but nice Phoenix History Museum and the Arizona Science Center, both good places to kill time.

If you want really good unique pizza, but not such a wait, try Cibo. Its maybe slightly outside of walking range depending on the heat and your physical condition, but its a very short drive.

Matts Big Breakfast is a delicious hole in the wall place, nothing fancy, just hearty breakfasts made from quality ingredients.

For Mexican food, drive your car through the bario over to the Phoenix Ranch Market on 16th St and Roosevelt. Its a huge Mexican grocery store, once you enter ,youll feel like youve been transported across the border. Wander through the market, its wonderful, they have their own tortilla factory, a delicious lunch counter, an Aguas Frescas stand ('fresh waters'), a huge bakery with tasty treats and an ice cream stand.

For Asian food, try Sens Sake and Tapas bar or 905 an Asian fusion restaurant also owned by local favorite chef Johnny Chu, its at 905 N 4th St.

For an Irish pub try Seamus McCaffreys in the ground floor of the old Hotel San Carlos. Or for a more upscale, contemporary Irish experience, try The Turf, which is owned by the same folks.

For Soul Food go to Mrs Whites Golden Rule Cafe or for a more specialized Soul Food experience, drive south to Mrs Whites sons place, LoLos Chicken and Waffles

Thai Elephant has excellent Thai which will probably be within walking distance to you.

The District restaurant and bar in the Sheraton is much nicer and more unique than most hotel eateries.

The Breadfruit is a great hole in the wall Jamaican place, get the jerk chicken and save room for the desert that has jello and ice cream in it.

Pasta Bar is a unique little pasta place in the same complex as Sens and the Turf, they use really quality ingredients.

I don't like sushi, but I hear Moira is good from those who do.

The Roosevelt
and The Lost Leaf are hip bars in historic houses with a variety of microbrews and locally crafted beers, like local favorite from 4 Peaks Brewery, Kiltlifter.

For a more traditional sports bar, go to Majerles (owned by the former Phx Sun of the same name) or Alice Cooperstown

Arcadia Farms Cafe is a good place inside the Phoenix Art Museum, so you can grab a bite and sit viewing a beautiful sculpture garden.

For a museum, take the Light Rail (or drive) up to the Heard Museum. Its the premiere museum of the history of the Native Southwestern people.

If you want to experience the desert and a great mountain top view without physical exertion, drive South (unfortunately, through the ghetto, but don't worry, youre safe) to South Mountain Park. Its the largest municipal park in the world at over 19,000 acres and has a road to the top to a lookout called Dobbins Point (dont forget your camera).

If you're up for a hike, get up early to beat the heat, grab a big water bottle and hike Camelback Mountain. Its an extremely popular hike and you won't get solitude, but youll get a heck of a view (of the desert, the city and probably some hot ladies asses).

Then, like I said, check out the events calendars on the Phoenix New Times site and AzCentral.com, theres usually stuff going on. If you get lost downtown and need help, look for people in orange shirts, its their job to point you in the right direction.

Outstanding job Hoover!
I recommend everyplace mentioned.
I'll add a couple. If you like old school 50's style steak houses, not cheap, Durants. My favorite Mexican restaurant has a location very close to the ball park Los Dos Molinos, be forewarned their food is very, very hot. If you take the Light Rail a little north there is a great English pub, darts, pool, poker tournaments, George & Dragon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owls2009

Wow, thanks for the info Hoover. It's very kind of you to put all that together. I have lot more reserch to do then I thought!

I think i'll definately do Majerle's for one meal. Being a South Florida native, I have been a HUGE Thunder Dan fan from his time with the Heat. One of my all time favorite players.

I have also heard good things about Matt's Big Breakfast. I saw it on a Food Netrork show...looks great. Definately putting it on my list.

How far outside downtown is Camelback mountain? I'd really like to check the desert while I'm out there. Also, how is the public transportation? Can I walk to the ballpark from downtown or will I have to pay for parking?

If you stay at the Springhill Suites you are just a few blocks from the ball park, within walking distance, if you can deal with the heat. It is also close to the Light Rail.
The Fairfiled Inn is right there on the Light Rail route. Most of the places mentioned by Hoover and myself are easily accessed using the Light Rail. Two dollars and fifty cents and you can ride all day.
Camelback Mountain you would have to drive to, fifteen minutes, depending on the time of day.
Keep in mind that if you do drink, AZ has the toughest DUI laws in the country.

Any other questions?

Owls2009 · June 20th, 2009, 06:12 PM

How about at Chase Field? Any food there you guys recommend? I'm excited to see the stadium. It'll be the first stadium with a roof I'll see a game in. As I said, I am from South Florida and the Marlins are scheduled to break ground on a rectractable roof ballpark in July, so I'm curious to see how it is to watch a game indoors...I'm guessing baseball without sitting in oppressive heat is awesome.